R22 disposal: the ban and licensed destruction
Since 1 January 2015, R22 may not be used in the EU to service or top up equipment, not even as reclaimed or recycled gas. Recovered R22 therefore cannot be reused in the EU and goes to licensed destruction. Gaia Cooling arranges collection, the paperwork and the destruction.
- GWP
- 1960
- Type
- HCFC, ozone-depleting
- Destination
- Licensed destruction
R22 is an HCFC: an ozone-depleting substance, not an F-gas. It falls under the Ozone Regulation (EU) 2024/590. The GWP of 1960 is taken from Annex I of that Regulation; older sources give 1810.
What applies to R22
- 2010
Virgin R22 may no longer be used to service refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump equipment.
- 2015
Reclaimed and recycled R22 may no longer be used for servicing either. Since then, R22 may not be topped up at all.
- 2024
The new Ozone Regulation (EU) 2024/590 replaces the old rules. The ban on use remains. Destruction is only allowed with technology approved under the Montreal Protocol.
R22 is still found in refrigeration and freezer systems, cold rooms, air conditioners and heat pumps that are more than twenty years old. It mostly turns up in older commercial buildings, agricultural cooling and process cooling.
Existing systems were often converted to R422D, R407C or R417A. Replacement systems now use CO₂ (R744), propane (R290) or ammonia (R717) for refrigeration, and R32 or propane for air conditioning and heat pumps. Note that R422D itself has fallen under the servicing ban since 2025.
Offering R22
We collect recovered R22 through a licensed carrier, handle the paperwork and arrange destruction at a licensed facility. Destruction usually comes at a cost, depending on the quantity. If the R22 is still in a system, we coordinate recovery by a certified technician.
Questions about R22
Can I still top up R22?
No. Since 1 January 2015, R22 may not be used in the EU to service or top up equipment, not even as reclaimed or recycled gas. Virgin R22 had already been banned for servicing since 2010.
Can my R22 system keep running?
Yes, as long as it works and does not leak. But after a leak, or a repair that needs a top-up, there is nothing more you can do with R22. The only options then are conversion or replacement, and the R22 must be recovered.
What does R22 disposal cost?
Destruction usually costs money. What you pay depends mainly on the quantity. Tell us how many kilos there are and where, and we will give you a price.
Can I put R22 in the same cylinder as other refrigerant?
No, do not do that. A mixture containing R22 legally counts as an ozone-depleting substance itself. A cylinder of HFCs with R22 mixed in can therefore no longer be reused as HFC and goes to destruction as a whole. Always use a separate cylinder for R22.